The United Nations has launched an appeal to stop hostilities in the suburb of Ghouta, east of Damascus, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged population. This was declared today by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. "Eastern Ghouta cannot wait", the UN Secretary General stressed in a statement, civilians are experiencing a real "hell on earth".
"I appeal to all those involved for an immediate suspension of hostilities to allow the entry of humanitarian aid", underlined Guterres in the note.
Yesterday, both the United States and the UN expressed their deep concern at the hundreds of civilians who died in the rebel enclave. Since last February 19, at least 200 people have been killed in the bombings of the Syrian government army, in which the Russian air force also took part, according to Washington.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations, saying they are not supported by specific data. Eastern Ghouta is one of four security zones created during the Astana talks on Syrian reconciliation. Russia, Iran and Turkey act as guarantors of the ceasefire agreements which do not include Tahrir al Sham, the former al Nusra front (linked to Al Qaeda) and the Islamic State. According to Moscow, Tahrir al Sham is one of the majority groups in Eastern Ghouta and is accused of firing continuous rockets and mortars against the Russian embassy in Damascus.